Automatic feeder, applicable to collar plasticizing machines and related functional method

ABSTRACT

A new automatic feeder for collar plasticizing machines, includes a loader, subdivided into a plurality of compartments where the collars are piled, a movable frame capable of alternating rectilinear motion along side slides and supporting pneumatic cylinders which are provided at the lower end with bellows suckers for sucking in the collars onto the conveyor belt into the plasticizing machine. An electromagnet imparts an alternating oscillatory motion to lamellar members which act as locking members for the tubular members and causes the lamellar members to release the tubular members so that the tubular members and the bellows suckers drop by gravity. After the collars have been sucked in, the tubular members have reached their upper position, and in a subsequent stage, the lamellar members return to their locking position, because the electromagnet is no longer energized.

United States Patent 1 1 Colombini 1 May 1, 1973 54 AUTOMATIC FEEDER, APPLICABLE 2,591,116 4 1952 Backhouse ..271/26 o COLLAR PLASTICIZING 1,911,884 5 1933 Darbaker ..271/26 MACHINES AND RELATED Przr nary Examzner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Bruce H. Stoner, Jr. [76] Inventor: Serafino Colombini, 38 Via Matteot- A 'F d M pi d li i ti, Pero, Italy 22 Filed: Aug. 3, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT A new automatic feeder for collar plasticizing 21 A l.N.. 0471 1 pp 0 6 machines, includes a loader, subdivided into a plural1- ty of compartments where the collars are piled, a [30] Foreign Application Priority Data movable frame capable of alternating rectilinear motion along side slides and supporting pneumatic cylin- Aug. 2, 1969 Italy ..20506 A/69 ders which are provided at the lower end with bellows suckers for sucking in the collars onto the conveyor 7 [52] US. Cl. ..271/9, 271/12, 227711//2462, belt into the plasticizing machine An electromagnet imparts an alternating oscillatory motion to lamellar 2; 2x 36 members which act as locking members for the tubu- 1 0 care l lar members and causes the lamellar members to 271/42 12 release the tubular members so that the tubular members and the bellows suckers drop by gravity. After the [56] References cued collars have been sucked in, the tubular members UNITED STATES PATENTS have reached their upper position, and in a subsequent stage, the lamellar members return to the1r locking 2,615,713 10/1952 Backhouse ..27l/26 position, because the electromagnet is no longer ener- 2,ss0,995 4 1959 Rimes gized 3,330,554 7/1967 Staines.... 1,715,360 6/1929 Harrold ..271/26 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU HAY l 973 SHEET 3 UP 4 AUTOMATIC FEEDER, APPLICABLE TO COLLAR PLASTICIZING MACHINES AND RELATED FUNCTIONAL METHOD This invention relates to automatic feeders, and particularly to automatic feeders designed for application to plasticizing machines for collars of shirts and clothes.

The feeder according to this invention makes the feeding of collars into conventional plasticizing machines completely automatic. The feeding device according to this invention also permits a substantial increase in the rate of operation of the collar plasticizing machines, reduction of the period of time when the operation must be interrupted because it is necessary to feed and position the collars on the continuous belt conveyors of the plasticizing machines.

These and further features of the automatic feeder according to this invention may be better understood by reference to the various figures on the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the automatic feeder according to this invention, in perspective side view, in conjunction with a plasticizing machine,

FIG. 2 shows in a perspective side view, a detail of the feeding device,

FIG. 3 represents a sectional side view of one of the pneumatic cylinders, provided with a bellows sucker, fitted to the feeding device, and

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 show the various positions taken by the towing organs which set in motion a movable frame, supporting a series of telescopic cylinders, supporting in turn bellows suckers.

Referring now to the reference numerals in the various figures of the accompanying drawings, FIG. 4 shows the towing organs, when the instant automatic feeder is stopped. FIG. 5 represents the same organs, when the locking lamellar members hook off, or disengage causing the tubular members 21 to fall. The tubular members support the bellows suckers 22, the latter acting as plunging mouths. In such a phase, an electric valve 10 is opened, causing a suction flow through the tubular members 21 FIG. 6 illustrates the subsequent operating phase, in which the bellows sucker 22 sucks in a collar 24 and rises, causing the actuation of switch 52.

FIG. 7 illustrates the position of the towing organs, when a contact means sets in motion a towing device .19, comprising essentially the organs 41, 42, 43, 44 and FIG. 8 represents the above-mentioned organs, when a limit switch, placed in the position 53, closes suction duct 54 diaphragmmed by the electric valve 10; in this phase, the tubular members 21 have a tendency to fall downward, but are held up by the locking lamellar members 20, while the switch 52 is disconnected.

FIG. 9 illustrates an operating phase, in which the towing device 19 of the movable frame reaches a limiting position where it comes into contact with a switch, placed in the position 44, causing the stoppage of the feeder.

Byreference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic feeder according to the present invention comprises a loader 1, subdivided into a plurality of compartments 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, of variable width and number, suitable to contain collars of different shapes and dimensions. The

container 1 may be suitably interchanged with another one, already filled with collars. In each of the compartments are manually introduced about 10 pieces collars, suitably overpiled.

The plasticizing machine to which the automatic feeder according to this invention is fitted is provided with an electronic central control, capable of transmitting a pulse which sets in motion a belt conveyor 8, the latter constituting an integral part of the plasticizing machine itself.

Simultaneously, the electronic central control transmits a pulse to an electromagnet 9, then to an electric valve 10 and to a timer which serves the function of actuating the motor 11 of the tow gear 19, thereby preventing the motor itself from receiving the pulse at the time when it does not require it. Theelectromagnet 9 is provided with a keeper 12, connected by means of a hinge 13 to a tie rod 14, the length of which may be suitably varied by the adjustment of a micrometric screw.

The tie rod 14 is connected by means of a pin 15 to an oscillating arm 16, which is integral with a shaft 17. The latter may rotate and may be fitted to the movable frame 23.

The shaft 17 supports the lamellar members 20, bent at their lower end, and is capable of an alternating oscillatory motion.

The lamellar elements 20 serve as locking means, preventing in certain operating phases, the fall of some tubular members 21. The tubular members constitute integral part of the pneumatic cylinders 21, which are supported by the movable frame 23. At the lower end of the cylinders 21, bellows suckers 22 which serve as plunging mouths, are provided.

In actual operation the movable frame 23 is initially disposed above the various compartments 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, where the collars 24 are overpiled.

In this position the electromagnet 9 is closed. This draws the keeper 12, thus causing the release of tubular members 21 from said locking organs 20 by means of a series of control means of the lamellar members 20.

During this phase, the tubular members 21', which constitute an integral part of the telescopic pneumatic cylinders 21, drop by gravity downward together with the bellows sucker 22, fitted at the lower end of the same telescopic pneumatic cylinder 21.

When the bellows suckers drop onto the collars 24, disposed in the various compartments 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 the electric valve, which diaphragms a duct 25, connected to a suction pump, opens.

The latter causes a partial vacuum in the duct, and consequently in the interior of the bellows suckers 22, which suck in the collars 24, the latter being disposed from time to time on the upper part at the various compartments, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

The collars 24 diaphragm the bellows suckers, 22, causing the tubular members 21, supported by the movable pistons 27 of the pneumatic cylinders 21, to use.

When the tubular members 21 have reached their upper dead point the electromagnet is no longer energized, thereby causing the lamellar members 20 to return to their original locking position.

In the latter position, in the event the tubular members are not drawn upward by a vacuum in the pneumatic flow, they are hooked up and are kept raised by the lamellar locking members 20, which engage with the hooking conical extensions 21 made integral with the tubular members 21 After this phase, the movable frame 23, which supports the pneumatic cylinders and which slides along the side slides 28, accomplishes a rectilinear forward motion until it reaches its position of front limit. In the latter position, the various collars 24 sucked in by the bellows suckers 22, position themselves above the belt conveyor 8 of the plasticizing machine.

When the movable frame 23 has reached such a position, the electric valve 10 which cuts out the air suction, sustaining the collars, closes. Consequently, the collars drop onto the belt conveyor 8 which conveys them into the body of the plasticizing machine. When the electric valve 10 closes, the tubular members 21 are hooked up at their conical extensions 21" by the lamellar locking members which keep them in the raised position.

After this phase, the movable frame 23 starts its return motion, thus describing a rectilinear trajectory in the direction of the front portion of the automatic feeder, setting in the position corresponding to the beginning of the operating cycle as previously described.

It should be noted here that the alternating rectilinear motion of the movable frame 23 is transmitted to the latter by a motor 1 1, provided with ashaft 30, supporting a pulley 29. This pulley 29 is provided with a belt 29 which is supported at its other end by a pulley 31, made integral with a mechanical reduction gear 32. The secondary shaft of the latter supports a pinion 33, drivinga chain 34, which rotates a second pinion 35, made integral with the shaft 36.

The latter supports at both side ends, two pinions 37. Each of the latter provokes through a chain 39 the rotation ofa pinion 40, made integral with a pinion 41.

This pinion is connected together with another pinion 42 to a chain 43 and to a link to which is applied a metal block 44, provided with two cavities 45. These cavities are vertically oriented and are capable of serving as seats to receive two vertical shafts 46. These vertical shafts 46 are fitted at their upper and lower ends to two bushings 47 and 48 which may slide along side guides.

The metal block 44 is connected to an oscillating rod 50, applied to the movable frame 23 and transmits to the latter an alternating rectilinear motion.

lclaim:

1. An automatic feeder to transport collars to a plasticizing machine comprising aframe capable of alternating rectilinear horizontal motion, means for actuating the frame from an initial position above the collars to a delivery position above a conveyor, a plurality of cylinders supported by the frame, a compartment asposition or in a lower unlocked dposition, said conveyor ransportmg the collars to Sat plasticizing machine,

means for connecting the lamellar members to the frame, means for releasing the tubular members from the cylinders and from said raised locked position for causing said tubular members to drop by gravity together with said sucking means, and suction means connected to said sucking means and actuating said sucking means for vertically lifting the tubular members and the collars, and for placing them upon said conveyor, said frame reciprocating said tubular member and said sucking means from the said initial position to said delivery position for placing the collars upon said conveyor, said collars being transferred onto the conveyor when the frame is in its delivery position without being bent, said feeder comprising control means which is responsive to the said tubular members and'said collars in the said raised position to cause said frame to move between said initial and said delivery positions.

2. The feeder according to claim 1 wherein said tubular members are provided at the lower end with conical extensions capable of engaging with said lamellar members.

3. The feeder according to claim 1 .wherein the com partments are of different dimensions.

4. The feeder according to claim 1 wherein the sucking members are bellows suckers.

5. The feeder according to claim 4 wherein the bellows suckers after gripping the collars, rise and actuate the towing device for the frame by means of a switch.

6. The feeder according to claim 1 wherein said control means actuates an electromagnet and an electric valve which actuate the motor controlling the motion of the frame. 

1. An automatic feeder to transport collars to a plasticizing machine comprising a frame capable of alternating rectilinear horizontal motion, means for actuating the frame from an initial position above the collars to a delivery position above a conveyor, a plurality of cylinders supported by the frame, a compartment associated with each cylinder, a plurality of vertically mounted tubular members within the cylinders, a plurality of sucking means located at the lower end of the tubular members, a plurality of lamellar members bent at the lower end thereof and mounted for alternating oscillatory motion and for engaging with the tubular members and disengaging therefrom for locking and unlocking the tubular members in its raised locked position or in a lower unlocked position, said conveyor transporting the collars to said plasticizing machine, means for connecting the lamellar members to the frame, means for releasing the tubular members from the cylinders and from said raised locked position for causing said tubular members to drop by gravity together with said sucking means, and suction means connected to said sucking means and actuating said sucking means for vertically lifting the tubular members and the collars, and for placing them upon said conveyor, said frame reciprocating said tubular member and said sucking means from the said initial position to said delivery position for placing the collars upon said conveyor, said collars being transferred onto the conveyor when the frame is in its delivery position without being bent, said feeder comprising control means which is responsive to the said tubular members and said collars in the said raised position to cause said frame to move between said initial and said delivery positions.
 2. The feeder according to claim 1 wherein said tubular members are provided at the lower end with conical extensions capable of engaging with said lamellar members.
 3. The feeder according to claim 1 wherein the compartments are of different dimensions.
 4. The feeder according to claim 1 wherein the sucking members are bellows suckers.
 5. The feeder according to claim 4 wherein the bellows suckers after gripping the collars, rise and actuate the towing device for the frame by means of a switch.
 6. The feeder according to claim 1 wherein said control means actuates an electromagnet and an electric valve which actuate the motor controlling the motion of the frame. 